Holders Bashundhara Kings and Dhaka Mohammedan SC reached the semifinal of the season's curtain raiser soccer meet, the Independence Cup Football 2023 eliminating their rivals at different venues in the capital and adjoining areas on Tuesday, reports UNB.

In the day's fourth and last quarterfinal, Bashundhara Kings advanced to the last four stage eliminating Bangladesh Army by 2-1 goals in a keenly contested match at their home venue --Bashundhara Kings Arena --Tuesday evening.

The Kings dominated the first half by a solitary goal.

Uzbek defender Boburbek put the Kings ahead in the 39th minute by a header, off a Miguel corner (1-0), while local forward Shahriar Emon levelled the margin for the Army team in the 61st minute, utilizing a lapse of Kings goalie Srabon (1-1).

Brazilian forward Dorielton Gomes scored the match winning goal for the Kings in the 76th minute by a placing shot, capitalizing on a,Saad Uddin pass (2-1).

Earlier in the day' third quarterfinal, Dhaka Mohammedan SC booked a seat for the semifinal, eliminating Chittagong Abahani Limited by 1-0 goals in the extra time at the Bir Shreshtha Fl Lt Shaheed Matiur Rahman Stadium in Munshiganj Tuesday afternoon.

They will play the first semifinal, also on December 15 at the Sheikh Fazlul Haque Moni Stadium in Gopalganj against the Rahmatganj MFS, which qualified for the semis, eliminating Bangladesh Police FC by 2-1 goals in the first quarterfinal last Sunday.

After a goalless position in the stipulated 90-minute, Uzbek midfielder Muzaffarov scored the match winning goal for the traditional black and whites Mohammedans by a brilliant free kick from about 30 yards that kissed net over opponent custodian in the 7th minute of extra time (97th minute) .

Islam Sakib of Chittagong Abahani got matching order in the 115th minute, after receiving the 2nd yellow card.

The title deciding final match will commence on December 18 at 1:45 pm at the Sheikh Fazlul Haque Moni Stadium in Gopalganj.

Bd-pratidin English/Tanvir Raihan